| Social problems have not changed in this world. In | | | | organizations, perform research, and volunteer work. |
| some areas of the world, the problems have | | | | You'll also have the opportunity to take several |
| increased. Issues like poverty, abuse, hunger, addiction, | | | | electives that focus on more specialized areas like |
| and mental illness are something social workers have | | | | mental health, disabilities, or the elderly. |
| to deal with on a daily basis. Christian social work | | | | Internships are conducted during the last semester of |
| programs help aspiring social workers to assist the | | | | your last year. This will allow you to practice what you |
| public not only through their faith but also through | | | | have learned. Under the supervision of both your |
| regulated social practices. Some programs, like at | | | | professor and an agency professional, you will work |
| Dordt College, offer students the chance to learn | | | | several days each week. Seminars are given weekly |
| about ways to live a life of service. | | | | so that you can have the chance to discuss your |
| These faith based programs work with you to help | | | | experiences and to further the idea of what it means |
| you learn how to function as a Christian-faithed social | | | | to be a public servant of faith. |
| services worker. Most of the professors will instruct | | | | When you are deciding between different Christian |
| from their experiences, since most will have worked in | | | | programs, consider some beneficial features such as |
| the field before taking a teaching role. You will take | | | | small class size, and personal attention from |
| several core courses which will be taught from a | | | | professors and faculty. There are also organizations |
| faith-based point of view and find you place in the | | | | you can join for support such as the Student Social |
| world. | | | | Work Association (SSWA), a student ran group that |
| Like secular programs, faith-based curriculum courses | | | | builds relationships among social work students. Once |
| are more than theory; they apply public service work | | | | you have completed your degree you can also join the |
| knowledge and skills in real life situations. During your | | | | North American Association of Christian Social |
| education you will be able to visit different agencies | | | | Workers (NACSW), which is supports the ethics and |
| and the local communities, assist various service | | | | values of Christians in social work. |